Okay, here’s my blog post about my experience with light exposure therapy, keeping it casual and focusing on the process:
So, I’ve been hearing a lot about this “light exposure therapy” thing, especially in the context of psychology – apparently, it can help with things like mood and sleep. I decided to give it a shot, and man, was it a journey. Here’s how it all went down.
Getting Started
First, I needed to figure out what this whole light therapy thing even was. I did some digging, not getting too bogged down in the scientific jargon. Basically, it’s about getting exposed to bright light, kind of mimicking sunlight, to help regulate your body’s internal clock. Sounds simple enough, right?
The Experiment Begins
- Finding a Light Box: I had no experience how to pick the light box, so, chose a light box online that had decent reviews, but not going overboard.
- Setting a Schedule:The instructions that came with it made me start with short sessions, like 15-20 minutes, in the morning. I decided every day, around 7 AM, right after I stumble out of bed.
- Making it a Habit:Sticking to it was the hard part! Some mornings, I just wanted to stay snuggled under the covers. But I pushed myself, telling myself it was for my own good. Place my box about arm’s length away and not stare directly at the lights.
The Messy Middle
Okay, I’m not gonna lie, the first few days were…weird. I felt a little jittery, almost like I’d had too much coffee. I was also super aware of how bright this light was. I mean, duh, but it still took some getting used to. I resisted the urge to check my phone and just let the light do its thing.
- Tracking My Mood:I kept a little journal, nothing fancy, just jotting down how I felt each day. Some days I felt a little more “up,” other days, not so much. It definitely wasn’t a magic bullet.
- Sleep Adjustments: I did start to notice that I was falling asleep a little easier. Usually, I’m a toss-and-turn kind of person, but after a week or so of the light therapy, I felt like I was drifting off quicker.
- The Blah Days: There were definitely days where I felt like, “What’s the point?” But I kept reminding myself that these things take time. No overnight miracles here.
The Outcome (So Far)
After a few weeks, I can honestly say I do feel a difference. I’m not bouncing off the walls with energy, but I feel a bit more…stable. My mood’s a little more consistent, and my sleep is definitely better. I’d say it’s been a worthwhile experiment, and I’m planning to keep it up, maybe even tweaking the timing or duration of the sessions as I go.
It wasn’t some magical cure, but it was a noticeable shift. And sometimes, those small shifts are all you need.
It seems the key is persistence. Just like any other self-improvement thing, light therapy isn’t a one-and-done deal. You gotta stick with it, even when you’re not feeling it.
